Archive for Restaurant Reviews Los Angeles – Page 2

I get asked a lot about my favorite vegan restaurants. As you can see here on the website I like to focus my restaurant reviews on how to eat vegan at a “normal” restaurant. Maybe some are mad I’m not focussing more on the plethora of amazing veg restaurants we have here in our city. So here is a list of my cannot live without vegetarian/vegan and or raw restaurants in Los Angeles. Please note, that I do not like fake meat so all my reviews will be based on dishes besides those. Look for formal restaurant reviews to follow soon.

1.

This place is where it’s at! Almost entirely raw and absolutely perfect in every way! Just to prove how much I love it: I hardly ever eat out (duh, I’m always trying to come with recipes ) but I’ve eaten at Sun Cafe twice this week so far… Their pizzas, sandwiches, salads are little pieces of art. The restaurant is cute and a place I would not be ashamed to bring a date (more than I can say for most veg. restaurants) And most importantly they win the award for best vegan raw dessert I’ve ever had, the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake!

2.

Veggie Grill does vegetarian food right! It’s clean, casual dining at it’s best. Almost all the food is “cooked” here, but that’s fine with me. The menu is extensive and delicious. They have sweet potato fries that are to die for! They seem to be expanding at a rapid pace, so look for one heading to your neighborhood soon. Bonus: if you sign up for their mailing list you get a coupon for a free dinner for your birthday

3.

The new kid on the scene is making a big splash! Originating in San Francisco, Cafe Gratitude opened a great location on Larchmont Blvd. Their menu has adorable names for all the items starting with an “I am” to go with the “gratitude” theme. They serve raw and cooked food as well as a selection of vegan wine and beer possibly making this spot the best vegetarian place for a date in town…

4.

Home to the best raw and vegan ice cream ever! I personally love the soft serve. (I do a chocolate/vanilla swirl) Many locations popping up so definitely stop by to satisfy that sweet tooth without destroying your diet!

5.

This is the kind of place you can feel completely comfortable bringing a meat eater. The traditional Thai dishes done vegetarian proves to me that Asian was intended to be made without fish sauce. Two locations are up already and let’s hope for more!

So those are my top 5. How do you feel about these?? Don’t see your favorite on the list? Let me know about it. Chances are I may have not been yet.

Last night I had time to grab a quick celebratory bite with my good friend Fiona Gubelmann. What were we celebrating you ask? The success of her new show Wilfred on FX. Definitely check it out this Thursday! We headed over to Cabbage Patch, one of our favorite spots on Beverly Dr. I LOVE this place! It prides itself in using only the freshest and humanely grown ingredients. They do serve meat here, but the menu has a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian food. We ended up ordering a bunch of stuff to share:

They always have the best vegan puree soups! Last night's special was tomato. It was packed with flavor and served with two little toasts.

A couple musts on the menu are my two favorite sides: cabbage patch slaw and yam wedges! The cabbage patch slaw is so light and refreshing! It has cilantro, peanuts and is dressed in a yummy honey mustard dressing.

These yam wedges are simply OUTSTANDING! They are baked (not fried!) and served with this delicious harissa ketchup. Oh my gosh, I could eat these all day everyday!

Next was the pan seared organic tofu bowl. Yum yum yum! The tofu here is so tasty! You have to try it!

Cabbage Patch has 3 locations in Beverly Hills, Playa Vista and Downtown. For more information check out their website.

There are few restaurants that I get downright giddy about when I read about their opening and Fig and Olive was one of them. Widely established as a fabulous restaurant choice in New York, Fig and Olive settled into a cozy spot on Melrose Place. The space that once housed the clubs/restaurants Republic and Bliss has been transformed into a culinary wonderland that will transport you to a European city far from La Cienega Blvd. With all my traveling recently, last night was the first chance I had to experience the restaurant. Going with someone who loves eating as much as I do is always key, so this was a fabulous excuse to double date with my good friend Jenny the Dessert Darling.

What they've been able to do with the space is remarkable. Check out the pictures I pulled from their website:

Their cocktail list is so creative and mouthwatering! With fresh herbs and fruits used I wanted to try everything! Don't worry, I didn't, but what I had definitely made me want to make reservations right then and there to come back. I started with the Rossellini made with passion fruit vodka and a blood orange puree. Yummy!

Now of course there was beautiful light when we arrived, but it got dark very quickly so the photos of dinner and dessert were not as stellar as I would have liked, but here is what I had:

I started with the gazpacho de andalucia which is vegan and delicious! Loads of flavor packed into a rock glass served with crunchy crostini. There was a little kick of spice to the soup with played well with the fresh sliced sweet grape tomatoes found in the bottom of the glass.

For an entree I chose the penne funghi tartufo which was made vegan by omitting the cheese. The perfectly al dente pasta was tossed with mixed mushrooms, scallions and is said to be drizzled with white truffle oil. Honestly, I would loved to have tasted the truffle a little more, but overall a very successful dish that I would order again.

Seeing as how we were eating with the Dessert Darling, we couldn't help but order 3 of the desserts for a little tasting : ) We were told the best dessert on the menu was the tropeizinne, so we had to order that along with the warm chocolate souffle and the chocolate pot de creme.

The tropeizinne was a fresh brioche sliced in half with mascarpone inside with meyer lemon glazed strawberries. The presentation was beautiful, but I have to say, good, but in no way the best thing on the menu. The brioche was fresh and very tasty. The mascarpone a little bland, but the strawberries were delicious.

The chocolate pot de creme, again, was very average… It did come with these fabulous little crunchy praline financiers which I wish there were more of!

And then there was the warm chocolate souffle. This is what they should be advertising as the best dessert on the menu! It was short for a souffle, almost resembling a lava cake, but the taste was rich and fabulous! If you are going to get one dessert, opt for the souffle.

Is there a better name for a cafe? I practically crashed the car when I drove by and read this sign!

I knew I had to go there. A few weeks later I made time to return. It's on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks which is not exactly my neck of the woods, but it was well worth the trip. Adorable little sidewalk cafe with all outdoor seating (well some is under a fabulous glass roof). There is also a fabulous little marketplace where you can pick up all sorts of goodies! Check out how cute the entry way is decorated with potted herbs and flowers:

Everything on the menu looked delightful! There are vegetarian and vegan friendly items included in the menu consisting of mainly salads and sandwiches. I opted for "the yoga" sandwich. It is "Homemade White Bean Spread, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Dressed Arugula on Toasted Rustic Millstone w/Arugula Salad" and of course I added avocado to it : )

It was light, healthy and delicious! The white bean spread was super yummy and the arugula was dressed perfectly.

If you find yourself in this area of Los Angeles, I recommend checking it out!

I had been anticipating the opening of this restaurant for awhile! It's next door to one of my favorite neighborhood spots Gindi Thai. So every time I ate there I would walk and peek into the windows of the soon to be open Olive and Thyme. Simply by the name I knew it would be my kind of place and it is! It is the most perfect little cafe and a welcomed addition to the neighborhood.

It's been open for about a month and I've been countless times : ) They have fabulous salads, sandwiches and soups. They also have a wine bar with meat and cheese plates. They have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Today I had the soup special which was delish!

It was a cream base broth with chickpeas, potatoes, tomatoes and bowtie pasta. Mmmmm!

They also have lots of adorable little items for sale and a very impressive dessert case.

I highly recommend you stop by if you are in the area. Olive and Thyme, I'm so glad you are here and I hope you stay forever!

Wow, I just had the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich ever! Grabbed a bite to eat at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica with my great friend Julie Weiss.

So this cafe is adorable, sweet and delicious! Everything here is homemade. I would call the menu eclectic comfort food. They also have a beautiful case full of the most scrumptious looking pastries! But here is the star in my mind, the homemade peanut butter and jelly on brioche bread!

Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm!

So if you find yourself in Santa Monica, get down to this fantastic cafe!

Every great neighborhood has to have a great cafe. Well, one of my favorite cafes in Los Angeles is the Champs Elysees. It's quaint, cute and delicious! The staff always greet you with a friendly smile. The food is fresh, healthy and yummy!

(this photo taken from their website)

I particularly love the quinoa salad, veggie sandwich and no meal is complete there without having their carrot soup! It's to die for! If I could bath in it I would!

All the bread served here is fresh and fantastic! Located on Robertson Blvd. it's close to everything including a few of my other favorite spots Planet Salon (where I practically live!), Zen Nails and Touch Spa. So if you are in the neighborhood, be sure to pop in and grab a bite!

Watch out folks, we may have a new favorite breakfast place! Bea Bea's is brand new in Toluca Lake and is yummy! Their slogan is "breakfast is everything" and it sure is!

Check out this pumpkin waffle with spiced apples and walnuts:

Of course everyone knows I love pumpkin and this waffle is terrific! Super crunchy outside and nice cakey inside. PS they also have two kinds of pumpkin pancakes! But beyond pumpkin, there is a HUGE variety of breakfast items! Check out their website for more info and make sure to stop by soon!

Ok, I talk about Pizzeria Mozza all the time so, here is the "official" review. : )

I will start by saying Pizzeria Mozza is my second favorite pizza in all of the US. Number 1 being Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix, AZ. Yup that's right, the best pizza in the country is served in Arizona! But when you can't make it to AZ, Pizzeria Mozza is awesome! Not to mention the best pizza in Los Angeles by far!

Pizzeria Mozza is the brain child of Mario Batali (Celebrity Italian Chef), Nancy Silverton (Thought to be one of the best bread makers in the world) and Joe Bastianich (Famed wine maker and son of Lidia Bastianich). What a line-up right?! This pizza dream team creates one of the best dining experiences in the country.

To drink I would recommend Joe's Rosso. It's a Joe Bastianich blend and it's delish and not too expensive.

So let's get to the food! If you have an antipasti, the stuffed squash blossoms are divine and so is the white bean bruschette.

Let me introduce you to the star of Pizzeria Mozza, behold the squash blossom pizza!

When you take your first bite of this pizza, the skies open, the angels sing, you are in heaven! The crust is like no crust I've ever tasted. It's got a great crunch, a chewy inside and such flavor! The tomato sauce is perfect and the fresh burrata on top is some of the creamiest I've ever had. The squash blossoms add this wonderful umami (earthy) quality. Bravo!

And dessert is not an option at this restaurant. . . it's a requirement! If you have room for two, do it. It has to be the butterscotch budino:

Butterscotch pudding with a layer of a rich carmely sauce and fresh whipped cream on top served with these addictive pine nut, rosemary shortbread cookies. If you'd like to make your own budino, I do have my recipe posted on the blog, see butterscotch budino And the second dessert would be the olive oil gelato. I know if sounds crazy, but don't knock it until you try it! So yummy!!

And the best thing to drink with these desserts is the Moscato! It's a sparkling wine and it's like drinking candy! So luscious and indulgent!

So next time you are in Hollywood, I HIGHLY recommend stopping by : ) Make sure to make a reservation because walking in is not an option. If you are trying to do last minute, the bar can be one of the best places to experience this place.

Tiara Cafe is one of my favorite little Los Angeles spots! It's located downtown in the fashion district so I don't get to go as often as a I like, but anytime I'm down there I always try to make a stop. This restaurant is brought to us by Fred Eric. (who also owns Fred 62 and Vida) Tiara Cafe focusses on organic, fresh, delicious foods! And they do serve plenty of meat here too, but there are loads of vegetarian options. Here are a few of my favorites:

My meal always has to start with these chickpea fritters!

Served on a little pink plate with an African aioli, these little guys are perfection! Think hummus made into french fries!

And the Chopped Vegetable Salad is always a fabulous choice. Grilled vegetables like corn, zucchini, acorn squash and asparagus join tomato, greens and a avocado to make this salad the "ultimate" salad.

Another mention should be there lemonade of the day. These always please! This trip I got a mango lemonade. Amazing combo!